The Justin Wynn Fund

2025 Marcia Wynn Award

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:12:00 GMT

Wynner parents Nicole Mims Johnson and Riian Wynn received the Marcia Wynn Award at our Fall Kickoff held on Sept. 25, 2025. The Marcia Wynn Award honors parents in recognition of their extraordinary service to the JWF community.

Nicole Mims Johnson has served on the board for over 3 years, and serves on the Red Tie Soirée and Awards Ceremony planning committees. As a member of the Family Engagement Committee, Nicole is welcoming towards and strives to engage all Wynners and their family members. Nicole’s thoughtfulness, insight, and creative problem solving greatly benefit the JWF.

As a Wynner parent, board member of 20 years(!) and member of the Wynn family, Riian Wynn has given so much to the JWLA. She currently serves as the vice president and chair of the Board Development Committee. She contributes to every major JWF event. Her positivity, dedication, and leadership help the JWF continually improve and evolve.

Wynners Amaya Johnson and Kamerin Stephens presented their mothers with the 2025 Marcia Wynn Award on behalf of the Justin Wynn Board of Directors. Congratulations, Nicole and Riian!

Posted in News

2025 Catherine McKnight Scholarship recipients

Wed, 28 May 2025 15:29:00 GMT

The Wynn family selected ETHS seniors K. Isaiah Gaddy and Amalia Thibodeaux as the 2025 Catherine McKnight Scholarship recipients.

Isaiah plans to study film production at LMU. Amalia will attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and plans to study nursing with the ambition of becoming a nurse educator.

Congratulations and best wishes to Isaiah and Amalia!

Posted in News

JWF in the news!

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 10:39:00 GMT

Check out these recent news articles featuring the Justin Wynn Fund!

Evanston RoundTable, February 24, 2025: Justin Wynn Fund honors Chute principal at Red Tie Soirée

Evanston RoundTable, September 12, 2024: Volunteers make the difference with monthly Evanston Produce Mobile

Evanston RoundTable, May 20, 2024: Festive and communal: Crowds turn out for District 65 art exhibit

The Evanstonian, May 2, 2024: Justin Wynn Leadership Academy: ‘A legacy to protect’

Evanston RoundTable, November 20, 2023: Justin Wynn Leadership Academy held annual Food Drive on Nov. 13

Evanston RoundTable, June 28, 2021: Justin Wynn Fund: Out of Grief Comes Community Service

Posted in News

2024 Marcia Wynn Award

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 22:39:00 GMT

Wynner parents Todd Cherkasky and Joe McQuade received the Marcia Wynn Award at our Family/Board Fall Kickoff held on Sept. 26, 2024. The Marcia Wynn Award honors parents in recognition of their extraordinary service to the JWF community.

Todd has served on the board for 5 years, and has helped out with the Red Tie and Awards Ceremony, and now is serving on the Family Engagement Committee. He has many times spoken to the parents of new Wynners about his appreciation for and dedication to the Justin Wynn Fund.

Joe has served on the board for 5 years, has helped out with the 3-on-3 every year, and has served on the Marketing Committee and now the Resource Development Committee. His thoughtful and helpful approach are most appreciated.

Wynners Micah Cherkasky and Anna McQuade presented their fathers with the 2024 Marcia Wynn Award on behalf of the Justin Wynn Board of Directors. Congratulations Todd and Joe!

Posted in News

2024 Catherine McKnight Scholarship recipients

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 22:15:00 GMT

The Wynn family selected ETHS seniors Kayla Rodriguez and Joseph Williams Salgado as the 2024 Catherine McKnight Scholarship recipients.

Kayla plans to attend Grand Canyon University and major in nursing. Joseph will attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a major in film and media studies.

Congratulations and best wishes to Kayla and Joseph!

Posted in News

2023 Marcia Wynn Award

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 19:35:00 GMT

Wynner parent John Kayaian received the Marcia Wynn Award at our Parent/Board Gathering held on Sept. 28, 2023. The Marcia Wynn Award honors parents who have been consistent supporters of the Justin Wynn Fund.

John has been a dedicated supporter of the Justin Wynn Fund since his son Theo received the Justin Wynn Award. He has served on the JWF Board of Directors since 2017, including as Vice President for four years. John has been instrumental in planning the Red Tie Soirée each year, and has planned and hosted our annual Parent Mixers.

Wynner Theo Kayaian presented his father with the 2023 Marcia Wynn Award on behalf of the Justin Wynn Board of Directors. Congratulations John!

Posted in News

2023 Catherine McKnight Scholarship recipient

Wed, 31 May 2023 19:59:00 GMT

The Wynn family selected ETHS senior Maria Martinez as the 2023 Catherine McKnight Scholarship recipient. Maria plans on attending Northern Illinois University. The Catherine McKnight Scholarship was presented to Maria at the Senior Scholarship Night held on May 10th.

Congratulations and best wishes to Maria!

Posted in News

2022 Marcia Wynn Award Recipients

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 20:49:00 GMT

The Justin Wynn Fund Board of Directors presented the Marcia Wynn Award to the Max Shure and Tracey Denlow. Max and Tracey have been dedicated supporters of the Justin Wynn Fund for many years. Max and Tracey were honored at the Parent/Board Gathering held on Sept. 12, 2022.

Posted in News

2022 Catherine McKnight Scholarship Recipients

Thu, 12 May 2022 17:00:00 GMT

The Wynn family awarded the 2022 Catherine McKnight Scholarships to ETHS seniors Taryn Robinson and Timothy Russell. ETHS honored Taryn and Timothy at the virtual ETHS Senior Scholarship Night held on May 11, 2022.

Taryn plans to attend Duke University and major in Psychology with a minor in Dance. Timothy will attend Northwestern University and study Mechanical Engineering.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Taryn and Timothy!

Posted in News

2021 Marcia Wynn Award recipients

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 21:26:00 GMT

We honored Wynner parents, Carmen Wallace and Megan McDermott at 2021 Parent Board Gathering on September 27. Wynners Maya Wallace and Logan McDermott presented their mothers with the 2021 Marcia Wynn Award.

The Marcia Wynn Award honors parents who have been consistent supporters of the Justin Wynn Fund and the JWLA.

Congratulations Carmen and Megan!

Posted in News

The 2021 Catherine McKnight Scholarship recipients

Wed, 19 May 2021 04:02:21 GMT

The Wynn family selected ETHS graduates Abigail Roman and Alex Johnson to receive the 2021 Catherine McKnight scholarship. ETHS honored Abigail and Alex at the virtual ETHS Senior Scholarship Night held on May 12, 2021.

Abigail plans to attend Tulane University. Alex will attend Georgetown University.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Abigail and Alex!

Posted in News

2020 Marcia Wynn Award recipients honored

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 03:59:13 GMT

Kendra Morrill and Tom O’Hare received the 2020 Marcia Wynn Award at our Parent/Board Gathering on September 29.

The Marcia Wynn Award honors parents who have been dedicated volunteers and supporters of the Justin Wynn Leadership Academy. The Justin Wynn Fund created this award in memory of Justin’s mother, Marcia.

Thank you Kendra and Tom!

Posted in News

2020 JWLA Leadership Camp

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 03:55:50 GMT

The pandemic couldn’t stop us from having a great 2020 JWLA Leadership Camp on August 8 and August 9. We held camp at the Evanston Lighthouse Beach Shelter. We had two different groups of Wynners each day; close to 70 Wynners in all. The Wynners safely participated in team building activities and had discussions about being a leader and the needs of our community. They also had fun doing yoga, playing games and doing tie dye. It was great way to start off the 2020-21 program year!

Posted in News

The 2020 Catherine McKnight Scholarship recipients

Thu, 14 May 2020 03:51:46 GMT

ETHS graduates Mya Allen and Nicole Mosquera were selected to receive the 2020 Catherine McKnight scholarship. Mya and Nicole were honored at the virtual ETHS Senior Scholarship Night held on May 13, 2020

Mya will pursue her education at Reed College and will major in Computer Science. Nicole plans to study Neuroscience in college.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Mya and Nicole!

Posted in News

Mya will pursue her education at Reed College and will major in Computer Science. Nicole plans to study Neuroscience in college.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to Mya and Nicole!